The main criteria was that the book came first, then the movie. And both the movie and book had to be recent enough in my memory. Cases where the books were derived from the screenplay or where I hadn't both read the book and seen the movie did not rate consideration in the list. Books on the shelves in my office, either in paper or video form, got preferential consideration.
You might notice a tendency on the list towards one author. Many of my other favorite authors and books were never made into a movie or failed the other selection criteria.
The Sacketts (Louis L'Amour)
Shadow Riders (Louis L'Amour)
The Quick and the Dead (Louis L'Amour)
High Noon (The Tin Star, John W. Cunningham)
The Virginian (Owen Wister)
Colossus: The Forbin Project (Colossus, Dennis Feltham Jones)
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (R. A. Dick)
Logan's Run (Logan's Run William F. Nolan, George Clayton Johnson)
An interesting tidbit I did find when verifying which came first, book or movie, related to Louis L'Amour. According to one filmography, some of his books or short stories were used as the basis for two of my favorite television programs when I was growing up: Sugarfoot and Maverick.
You've seen my list. What's your favorite movie made from a book you enjoyed equally well? Leave a comment below. And be sure to visit the other authors. Just because the link says it's closed, doesn't mean "no visitors are welcome." Only that new stops can't be added, so go on and visit. The other authors would love to see you.
~till next time, Helen
I had no idea Maverick was based on a Louis L'Amour story! You learn something new every day! I had SUCH a crush on James Garner...
ReplyDeleteYou're right about learning. Until I checked L'Amour's filmography I didn't know about Maverick. And I too had a crush on Garner as Maverick. Of course I always had a weak spot for the rogue with the heart of gold. Years later I did a feature on him and learned he was an advocate for actors. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI remember Maverick. I've not heard of the others on your list but the titles suggest they are westerns and I don't watch a lot of those.
ReplyDeleteThe first grouping is westerns (inherited a love of that from my father), the second is sciece fiction/fantasy. Most of my favorite books haven't been made into movies although there had been rumors of several in the works for years. I purposely didn't include the Star Wars, Star Trek franchises. Too many books, some were in the movies, others were fan fiction and it wanted to keep to the book to movie theme. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI had no idea Logan's Run was a book-turned-movie! I'll have to see if I can find a copy.
ReplyDeleteBesides the initial book and movie there was a television series and two sequels, Logan's World and Logan's Search, published after the film's release. There is also a novelette, Logan's Return, that has been published as an e-book. Palm Flowers anyone? Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteLouis L'Amour is on my TBR pile. The man was brilliant.
ReplyDeleteWhen I need break from fantasy I pull out my dvd of Shadow riders or The Sacketts. What I think is part of L'Amour's draw is that if he wrote about a place, he had been at the place. And he lived at a time to still meet some of the people from the frontier era. thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI know I'm showing my age, but I remember loving both Sugarfoot and Maverick. Thanks to you, I'm going to have the Sugarfoot theme song tramping through me mind for the rest of the day.
ReplyDeleteLOL, Ed. I loved the Sugarfoot theme song, too. Can't remember who played the main character though.
DeleteWill Hutchins with Jack Elam as the sidekick. And I have the theme from Have Gun Will Travel going through my head so we're even.
DeleteI have Louis L'Amour in my Kindle. :-) I used to watch Maverick and Sugarfoot. Loved westerns even as a kid.
ReplyDeleteGlad I brought back a memory. Each time I do research I come across yet another western. It always amazes me how many there were on television.
DeleteMy dad loved his Westerns, too. Maverick was my favorite, for sure, but only the shows with James Garner. Loved him in that role. Also didn't realize the show was based on a Louis L'Amour story. Another friend mentioned Conagher, one of his books that was made into a movie.
ReplyDeleteMy all-time fave book into movie has to be Pride and Prejudice.